The New York Times reports that the new system is aimed at identifying people with potential ties to terror who may not appear on no-fly or watch lists. The names of passengers from the identified countries will be checked against recent intelligence reports and trends to identify passengers with potential links to terrorism.

The previous restrictions were imposed following an attempt to blow up a jet liner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day and applied to automatic extra screening to travellers from 14 designated countries. Most of those passengers screened were Muslim.

The new rules are the result of a review of international airport security, according to The Times.